By Jordan Long
Major League Baseball Spring Training camps for most teams open up in a week when pitchers and catchers report. There are still two top names that don’t have a home yet next season, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Both may not have a team before teams start playing Spring Training games.
Harper is one of the best hitters in the Majors. He is only 26-years old and has shown what he can do at the plate. Harper hits .279, not a number a team would usually look at if they want to improve their offense. Rather it is the home runs and the RBI’s. He has smacked 184 home runs and collected 521 RBI’s. Harper is able to move his teammates around the base paths when they are in scoring position. He takes advantage of a pitcher’s mistake by crushing it over the wall.
His glove can also help a team win. He can play right and center field. Last season Harper rarely made an error with a total of 3 in the outfield. Teams will not run on him because they respect his arm. They know if they were to try to advance they would be thrown out.
Machado is the same age as Harper. He is one of the top young shortstops in the game. Machado hits .282 which is not bad. He is just like Harper because he can move his teammates around and hit the long ball. Machado has 513 RBI’s and 175 home runs.
His defense at shortstop would be an improvement for any team. He can pick the ball up and throw to a base for an out. His problem is errors. Machado commits too many of them. Last season he made 12.
The biggest question is why aren’t these “superstars” on a team yet? They have been free agents since November when the World Series ended. Both of them have met with teams, but have not agreed on a contract.
The issue is not their talent but rather the money. Both of them want a deal that is 10-years worth $300 million which is way too much. They are both valuable at their position, but that is way over paying. Teams are shying away from that. Machado had an offer from the White Sox which was $175 million for 7-years or $25 million per year. He turned it down.
Both will have a new home to play for this upcoming season. It is just a matter of time. They may have to come down on their price or settle for a short term or even a 1-year deal. If they decide on a one-year deal, they will be in the same spot in the offseason but will be on a team for 2019. It might be after camps open up before they are on one. “
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